For regular cleaning across several rooms with hard floors, rugs and carpets, a cylinder vacuum cleaner makes a good choice as your main appliance. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as suitable for larger homes, although the cable and less manoeuvrable design are trade-offs. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums pick up more dirt and expose you to less dust than bagless models, but you’ll need compatible bags. A rechargeable stick vacuum or robot vacuum is better suited to quick or automated cleans, provided you check how the specific model performs on your floor coverings.
How long you clean for and whether you have rugs or carpets matter more than simply wanting an appliance that’s easy to grab.
If you’re looking for a main appliance for full cleans, start by considering cylinder vacuums. UFC-Que Choisir describes them as suitable for larger homes; then compare how the model you’re considering performs on each of your floor coverings.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if dust collection is an important factor for you. UFC-Que Choisir says bagged models expose users to less dust than bagless ones; also check that compatible bags are readily available.
A rechargeable stick vacuum can be handy between full cleans. A robot vacuum can take care of cleaning automatically, but UFC-Que Choisir notes that its results vary depending on the floor type. Don’t assume either option will be enough for every rug and carpet.
First decide what role the appliance will play in your home, then compare specific models on the floors you need to clean.
Consider it: for full cleans if minimising dust exposure when emptying is important to you.
Trade-off: you’ll need to buy compatible bags, and make room for a corded appliance that you’ll have to move around.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum as your main appliance without having to buy bags regularly.
Trade-off: emptying the dust container means coming into contact with dust. UFC-Que Choisir also reports that bagless cylinder vacuums have lower suction power than bagged models.
Consider it: for short, cable-free cleans, or as your main appliance only if the model can handle your cleaning sessions.
Trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir says that stick vacuums often have limited battery life and suction power.
Consider it: to automate cleans between manual sessions, if the robot can move around your home.
Trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir finds that results vary depending on the floor type; you’ll also need to consider obstacles and maintenance.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance on different floors | Compare test results for the exact model on hard floors, rugs and carpets. Check which brush is included; the motor’s wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well it cleans. | I have several types of flooring, so I want to know what the appliance picks up on each one, using the accessories that come with it. |
| Dust collection | Check how to replace the bag or empty the container, the reference number of compatible bags and how easy it is to access the filters. | Minimising contact with dust when emptying may matter more to me than not having to buy bags. |
| Battery life and manoeuvrability | For a stick vacuum, check battery life in the mode you’ll use, charging time and weight. For a corded appliance, check the cable reach and how much storage space it needs. | If I clean several rooms in one go, I need to be able to finish the job. If I do short, frequent cleans, how easy it is to get the appliance out also matters. |
| Maintenance and repair | Find out what maintenance is needed for the filters, brushes and containers. For a new appliance covered by the scheme in France, check its repairability index out of 10 and the information available about spare parts. | I’d rather know what regular maintenance involves and whether repairs are possible before choosing a battery-powered appliance or one with a station. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up dirt from rugs or hard floors; the vacuum head matters too.
Compare test results on the types of floor you have and check which brushes come with the exact model you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir says that rechargeable stick vacuums often have limited battery life and suction power. The maximum battery life stated doesn’t necessarily reflect how long it lasts in the mode you choose.
Check battery life in that mode, performance on rugs and carpets, charging time and how easy it is to empty.
If your cleaning session takes longer than the appliance can manage, you’ll have to stop part-way through or use another vacuum cleaner.
You’ll need to replace the bags and maintain the filters. ADEME advises, among other things, not to let the bag get too full.
Before you buy, find out the reference number of compatible bags, check they’re available and read the manual to see what maintenance is required.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the floor type, and results are not always convincing.
Look at test results for the model on your rugs, check how it moves around obstacles and find out what’s involved in emptying and cleaning it.
A brand can be a useful starting point, but you should compare results and accessories for each specific model, not an entire product range.
Worth exploring if you’re comparing models in different formats.
Worth considering when comparing rechargeable stick vacuums for cable-free cleaning.
Worth exploring if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to handle extra automated cleans.
Worth exploring when comparing a corded main appliance with a cordless model.
These options include a bagged cylinder vacuum, a corded stick vacuum and cordless vacuum cleaners. If you’re considering one as your main appliance for rugs and carpets, compare test results for the exact model on these surfaces and check which accessories are included.
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This style of vacuum is suited to anyone looking for a main appliance to clean several rooms. Before choosing it for your rugs and carpets, check test results for this model, which brushes are included and whether compatible bags are available.
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This corded stick vacuum means you won’t have to stop to recharge while cleaning, but you will need an accessible socket. Its stated 600 W power doesn’t tell you how well it performs: check test results on hard floors and rugs, as well as which accessories are included.
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The cordless design is handy for quick cleans across several rooms. Its title states up to 65 minutes of battery life and an anti-tangle brush. If you’re considering it as your main appliance, check how long it lasts in the mode you need and how it performs on your rugs and carpets.
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The auto-empty station may appeal if you want to empty the vacuum less often by hand. Its title states up to 70 minutes of battery life. Check how long it lasts in the mode you use, how it performs on rugs and carpets, and what maintenance the station requires.
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This model combines a cordless vacuum with an auto-empty station. Its title states 170 AW and up to 80 minutes of battery life, but these figures don’t tell you how well it performs on carpet. Compare test results for the model, battery life in your chosen mode and the space needed for the station.
Yes, if the specific model can handle your cleaning sessions and clean your floor coverings well enough, but don’t assume it can just because of its design. UFC-Que Choisir generally describes stick vacuums as suitable for quick, occasional cleans. Before choosing one as your main appliance, check its battery life in the mode you’ll use and look at test results on your rugs and carpets.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged cylinder vacuums pick up more dirt and expose users to less dust than bagless models. The trade-off is that you’ll need compatible bags. With a bagless model, you’ll need to empty and maintain the dust container.
You’ll need to replace the bag or empty the dust container, as well as maintain the filters and brushes according to the model’s instructions. ADEME recommends, among other things, not letting a bag get too full and cleaning the filters to help your appliance last longer.
If the new vacuum cleaner is covered by the scheme, check its repairability index out of 10, then look at the information available about spare parts for the model you’ve chosen. The ministry responsible for ecological transition says the index takes into account factors including how easy the appliance is to dismantle, the documentation available and the availability of spare parts.
Don’t assume it can: UFC-Que Choisir says robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor type. Check test results for the exact model on your rugs and carpets. If it can’t meet your needs for a full clean, keep a manual vacuum cleaner for those sessions.